Programming an Intensity-Chase

There are a number of different ways to create an intensity-chase across several lighting fixtures. This article contains a list of a few of them and what the differences between the different methods are.

Chase Effect Playbacks

A Chase Effect Playback is a Chase1 that has been assigned to an Effect Playback. This method is relatively simple to set up quickly.

Pros:

Allows [Master Key]'s to be set to Tap mode so that a double-tap on the [Master Key] for a Chase Effect Playback assigned to a Master sets the pace of each step to the time the double-tap takes.

Can auto-generate simple chases in a number of different orders (Sequential, Random, etc.) from the channels selected when the Chase Effect Playback is created.

Cons:

Channels must be at either High or Low level as defined for a given Step. Multiple channels in the same Step may not be set at unique levels from one another.

Cannot be connected to the Master Playback Controls

Looping Sequences

A Looping Sequence is a Sequence of Presets that in "Normal" mode where one the final Preset links back to the first Preset in the loop.. This is the most customizable way to create an intensity-chase in terms of what each and every step looks like. However, this can in many cases take the longer to setup than other methods for creating an intensity-chase.

Pros:

Highly-customizable.

Within the same step, multiple Channels can have unique intensity levels.

Master Links & Action Macros can be connected to steps.

Rate can be controlled by pressing [Tap]&[Master Key Double-Tap] for a Chase Sequence assigned to a Master.

Can mostly utilize the Master Playback Controls.

[<<] and [>>] act as [Seq+] and [Seq-] and can not cause a sequence to loop in reverse as it can with a Chase Sequence.

Cons:

Cannot have Time Master control the Rate.

The types of intensity-chases that warrant the high amount of customization this method provides tend to inherently involve a lot of time for tweaking and fine-tuning (i.e. getting those lights in the fireplace to flicker just right).

Chase Sequences

A Chase Sequence is a Sequence of Presets that have been set to Chase2 mode. This is the most customizable way to create an intensity-chase in terms of what each and every step looks like. However, this can in many cases take the longer to setup than other methods for creating an intensity-chase.

Pros:

Highly-customizable.

Within the same step, multiple Channels can have unique intensity levels.

A Time Master can be created and allow a Master to control the rate on a fader.

Rate can be controlled by pressing [Tap]&[Master Key Double-Tap] for a Chase Sequence assigned to a Master.

Can fully utilize the Master Playback Controls

Cons:

The types of intensity-chases that warrant the high amount of customization this method provides tend to inherently involve a lot of time for tweaking and fine-tuning (i.e. getting those lights in the fireplace to flicker just right).

1 "Chase" meaning a series of steps and being distinctly different from the term "Chase Effect Playback".

2 "Chase" mode meaning an option that determines how a Sequence behaves, as opposed to "Normal" mode.